Three games to go in the shake-up for the Guinness PRO14 play-offs and still all to play for as far as Munster and Cardiff Blues are concerned, going into what promises to be an intriguing clash in Cork this evening (7.35pm).

Three key factors will define today’s titanic Cardiff clash

Shaun Edwards is irreplaceable in the Wales set-up after another master class from the defence guru put Warren Gatland’s side on the brink of a Six Nations Grand Slam.

European Rugby Challenge Cup final

Ireland stormed ever closer to a NatWest 6 Nations title showdown with England by dismissing Wales 37-27 in Dublin.

If it’s Ireland-Wales in the Six Nations then chances are Rhys Ruddock will be nudged in front of the media at some point or other in the week leading up to it — the Leinster back row’s current absence through injury didn’t change that yesterday.

Munster’s planning for a Zebo-less future has solidified with new contracts for Andrew Conway and Stephen Fitzgerald confirmed and a first start of the season for the latter in this evening’s Guinness PRO14 trip to Cardiff Blues.

Worcester wing Josh Adams will make his Wales debut in Saturday's NatWest 6 Nations opener against Scotland.

Wales star Sam Warburton is set to miss the rest of this season after undergoing a second operation in three months.

Wales suffered a 30th successive defeat against New Zealand as the world champion All Blacks ended their European tour in winning fashion.

Wales huffed and puffed their way to an unconvincing 13-6 victory over Six Nations wannabes Georgia after being pushed to the limit.

Wales are determined to begin a two-year World Cup countdown today by ending their dismal run of defeats against Australia.

Wales boss Warren Gatland looks set to field three home Test match debutants in the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against Australia.

CJ Stander is relishing his return to action against a big and physical Cardiff Blues back row at Thomond Park tomorrow when Munster look to bounce back from their first defeat of the Guinness PRO14 season last weekend.

Jarrod Evans nailed the match-winning conversion in windy conditions as Cardiff Blues edged out Connacht 17-15 for their first win at the Sportsground since May 2014.

Three tries in eight stunning minutes helped Leinster to a bonus point win over Cardiff Blues at the RDS.

Seventeen points from Steven Shingler ensured Cardiff Blues won the keenly contested Guinness PRO12 derby clash.

Cardiff Blues 13 Leinster 16 

Cardiff Blues lost their unbeaten record in the Guinness PRO12 as Leinster came from 10 points behind to win 16-13 at the Arms Park.

Munster’s charge towards the top four of the Pro12 hit a speed bump as they slipped to a 37-28 defeat at Cardiff Blues.

“It’s like every game we play from here on, we’re in cup final mode.”

Guinness Pro12: Munster 33 Cardiff Blues 16: Munster overcame the loss of Ian Keatley and Andrew Conway to put Cardiff Blues to the sword with a top-notch second-half performance that yielded three tries and another four Pro12 points at Musgrave Park on Saturday night.

As expected, Munster proved too strong for Cardiff Blues as they sealed another Guinness Pro 12 victory at Musgrave Park tonight and maintained their third place in the table.

Leinster made Cardiff Blues pay the price for their indiscipline as the Guinness PRO12 high-flyers fought back from a half-time deficit to claim a bonus-point 22-13 victory at the Arms Park.

Coach Pat Lam has made eight changes to his side ahead of their match against Cardiff Blues in Galway on Friday.

Leinster 37 Cardiff Blues 23

Gordon D'Arcy returns to Leinster’s starting 15 as they welcome Cardiff to the RDS on Friday night.

Cardiff Blues 9 Ulster 26

Ireland duo Tommy Bowe and Paddy Jackson return for Ulster’s trip to Blues at the Arms Park tonight.

Cardiff won in Ireland for the first time in 16 months as they came from behind to beat Connacht 22-15 at the Sportsground.

Leinster have been boosted by the return to fitness of Richardt Strauss as they aim retake top spot on the RaboDirect PRO12 table with victory over Cardiff Blues at Arms Park this evening (8.05pm kick-off).

Cardiff Blues 10 Munster 31

Japan 23 Wales 8

Olly Kohn tonight reflected on the “surreal” feeling of being called up by Wales for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Munster 6 Cardiff 17

Montpellier 34 Cardiff Blues 21

Leinster 59 Cardiff 22

Connacht 9 Cardiff 13

Cardiff Blues 38 Edinburgh 13

Connacht 20 Cardiff Blues 26

Cardiff Blues have been severely handicapped by the call-up of seven first-team players by the Welsh national team ahead of the Magners League clash with Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.